Press Releases

News Info:

Department of Justice news releases are available online, with links to other documents such as formal opinions and court decisions when appropriate. For more information or to schedule interviews with Attorney General Tim Fox or other Department of Justice staff members, reporters should contact one of the department’s communications officers at (406) 444-2026. Available information may be limited by the Montana Criminal Justice Information Act of 1979 or by the status of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Direct media inquiries to:
John Barnes ([email protected]) or Anastasia Burton ([email protected])
or by phone: 406-444-2026

Legislature Passes Attorney General Fox’s Opioid Abuse Bill

Attorney General Tim Fox issued the following statement after the Montana Senate passed House Bill 86 this afternoon:

“In passing House Bill 86, the Montana legislature has taken a significant step forward in addressing opioid addiction. Medical research has found that an opioid addiction can develop in just a few days, which is why my bill limits first-time prescriptions to no more than seven days. The bill also combats the doctor-shopping that feeds addiction by requiring physicians to utilize Montana’s prescription drug registry. I am grateful to the legislators, physicians, hospitals, and others who supported this legislation and worked to get it passed.”

Protects the legitimate use of prescription painkillers under the close supervision of a physician.

Restricts “opioid-naive” patients to a seven-day supply of an opioid medication (an opioid-naive patient is one who has not been prescribed a drug containing an opioid in the last 90 days). There are certain exceptions.

Requires physicians to check a patient’s history in Montana’s prescription drug registry before issuing an opioid or benzodiazepine prescription. There are certain exceptions.

Requires pharmacies to positively verify the identity of a recipient before filling an opioid prescription.